H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan. |Courtesy: File|.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit described the heinous killing of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan’s Wad Madani town of Al-Gezira State as an act of terror and called on his Sudanese counterpart, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to protect the South Sudanese citizens trapped in war zones under his control.
In a State of the Nation address broadcast live on the evening news bulletin on the state-owned television, President Kiir said he felt the pain and disdain at the atrocities committed against the defenseless South Sudanese nationals in Wad Madani.
The horrific videos that surfaced on social media showed the Sudanese army murdering and slaughtering South Sudanese citizens in Wad Madani, causing anger and distress among the South Sudanese across the world.
He said the heinous killing of South Sudanese nationals by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) ignites sad, difficult, and emotional memories of the atrocities committed by the government of Sudan against the southerners during the armed liberation struggle.
“It is a known fact that South Sudanese still consider Sudan home. Likewise, many Sudanese citizens consider South Sudan home. This is due to our shared history. Therefore, the government of Sudan is obliged to protect South Sudanese citizens trapped in war zones under its control,” Kiir urged.
He directed his foreign minister to engage the Sudanese embassy in Juba for an explanation demanded an immediate and thorough investigation into the killing of defenseless civilians, and called on the international human rights organizations to ensure transparency in such investigation, and for the Sudanese government to ensure those found guilty of these atrocities to face justice.
President Kiir urged all South Sudanese citizens to remain calm and refrain from retaliation.
“It is crucial that we do not allow anger and emotions to cloud our judgment and turn against Sudanese brothers and sisters,” he said. “Let us protect their property and businesses. We are hospitable people, it is our duty to offer protection and support to Sudanese refugees who fled the war in Sudan. Let them find comfort around you. Let us trust in the processes of peace and dialogue to resolve this crisis rather than citizens taking matters into their own hands. Any person found looting or intruding into properties and businesses must be held accountable.”
Kiir directed the chief of defense forces, police, and spy chiefs to ensure no one takes laws into their hands.
He directed the security agencies to ensure the protection of all Sudanese nationals within the territory of the Republic of South Sudan.
